§ 6.1001. Purpose.

The F-O District provides a means to recognize and further preserve the rural desert character in the low density lands that are generally not within subdivisions to which the F-O District has been applied by defining additional standards that help to define the area's unique character. These standards are intended to result in minimum visual impact for buildings and other improvements and to further the related purposes of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands ESL District that relate to preservation of the desert and blending the form of buildings into the desert environment.

Specifically, these regulations are intended to:

A.

Conserve the character of the natural desert.

B.

Minimize the impacts of development by controlling the location, intensity, pattern, design, construction techniques, and materials of development and construction.

C.

Retain the visual character of the natural desert to the greatest extent feasible by regulating building mass location, colors, and materials; grading location, design and treatment; and landscaping.

D.

Maintain significant open spaces which provide view corridors and buffers, protect landmarks and prime wash habitats, and maintain the city's unique desert setting.

E.

Protect environmentally sensitive lands, while also recognizing the reasonable expectations of property owners.

F.

Encourage innovative planning, design and construction techniques for development in environmentally sensitive areas.

(Ord. No. 3367, § 1, 2-6-01; Ord. No. 4005, § 1(Res. No. 8947, Exh. A, § 179), 4-3-12)